Swedish steelmaker SSAB calls for a global approach to accelerate industrial decarbonization in the steel sector. At COP29 in Baku, SSAB’s CTO Martin Pei highlighted the need for nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and global carbon pricing mechanisms. These efforts are essential to drive faster transitions away from fossil fuels. Pei warned that without a cost on emissions, the steel industry’s decarbonization will remain slow.
Global Standards and Trade for Clean Steel
SSAB advocates for a unified global standard for near-zero-emission steel production. The company supports the Steel Standard Principles from COP28. Furthermore, SSAB urges policymakers to establish common emission measurement rules across the industry. Additionally, SSAB pushes for trade rules that prioritize sustainability. The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism can serve as a model to incentivize green steel through trade.
SSAB’s Path to Fossil-Free Steel
SSAB is already advancing decarbonization in steel production. The company has introduced SSAB Zero, a near-zero-emission steel made from recycled scrap at its electric arc furnace (EAF) facility in Montpelier, Iowa. This process uses fossil-free energy. Additionally, SSAB is transitioning its Northern European production system to fully eliminate carbon emissions, using both recycled steel and virgin iron ore.
HYBRIT: A New Era in Steelmaking
In collaboration with LKAB and Vattenfall, SSAB has developed HYBRIT, a hydrogen-based steelmaking technology. It uses fossil-free electricity to produce hot briquetted iron (HBI) from iron ore pellets. So far, SSAB has produced 1,000 metric tons of steel using HYBRIT technology. This achievement marks a significant step toward cleaner steel production. SSAB hopes that higher national climate ambitions will encourage more investments in a competitive green steel sector.
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